Transfer ring



Jam, 4%, 195 W. J. KUEHNEL TRANSFER RING Filed March 6, 1947 INVENTOR. wizliamJZuehneZ Patented .lan. 24, i950 TRANSFER RING William J. Kuehnel, Bridgehampton, N. Y., as-

signor of one-half to John G. G. Morrow, New

York, N. Y.

Application March 6, 1947, Serial No. 732,850

8 Claims.

This invention relates to transfer rings for knitting machines and more particularly to that class of machines designated as circular or dial knitting machines. 7

The principal objective of my invention was to design a transfer ring that would facilitate the quick and efiicient transfer of loops of fabric to the needles of a circular knitting machine. Heretofore, such work has been accomplished by highly skilled labor who placed the loops individually on. each needle, which process consumed considerable time. Through the use of my transfer ring any person, with a minimum of training, will be able to perform the transferring operation with a minimum of effort and considerable saving in time.

Another advantage of my device is the design of transfer ring on which are mounted a plurality of spaced transfer points, and which also incorporates a movable section or segment of the ring which makes it possible for the first time to utilize a work transfer ring with a dial machine having horizontal needles.

Due to the fact that the feeder mechanism projects into the center area of the dial machine, it was necessary that the transfer ring have means to engage the needles of the knitting machine and, at the same time, allow clearance for the feeder mechanism. With my device it is now possible, through the feature of a movable segment to transfer the loops of the fabric to all of the needles except those that are in the vicinity of feeder mechanism or are retracted due to the cam action on the butts of the needles. As soon as the work has been transferred to those needles that are fully extended, the feeder mechanism is moved in a counter-clockwise direction and the movable segment is then brought into proper position and the balance of the loops are transferr d to the needles that were previously retracted or blocked by the feeder mechanism. As soon as all of the loops of the fabric have been transferred, the transfer ring is removed and the machine can proceed with the normal knitting operation.

My device is simple in construction and operation and through its use considerable savings will be efiected in time and labor.

Other advantages and unique features of my device will be apparent as I proceed with the description.

With reference to the drawings- Figure 1 shows a plan elevation of my transfer ring with the movable segment displaced;

Fig. 2- shows a plan elevation of the movable segment;

Fig. 3 shows a section view on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view indicating the position of the transfer points and the needles during transfer operation;

Fig. 5 is a plan view partially in section of the transfer ring engaged on the needles of a dial knitting machine;

Fig. 6 shows a plan elevation of another modification of my invention; and

'7 is a side elevation of my modification shown in Fig. 6.

In Figure 1, I show my transfer ring H) which consists of a circular wheel shaped frame i i which can be made in tubular form from brass or any other suitable material. Equally spaced around the outside periphery of the frame I! and held in the frame by brazing or other similar means are a plurality of concave transfer points or quills 3. The transfer points l3 have a U-shaped cross section area with the open portion facing down so that they will fit over the needles 45 when the transfer ring [0 is brought into engagement with the circular knitting machine til. Extending toward the center from the circular frame I l and secured to a sliding collar H are support bars l2. Positioned through the center of the sliding collar is a centering shaft I5 and the position of the ring In on the shaft I5 may be adjusted to any desired position through the operation of a thumb screw I?) that is threaded through the collar IT. A portion 23 of the circular frame H has been cut and is separately mounted for vertical movement on the shaft 15. This constitutes the movable segment I 4 which is mounted to another sliding collar [8 that is positioned on the shaft l5 below collar ll. The segment it is also equipped with transfer points 22 identical to points I? and is so constructed that when the top of the collar it is contacting the bottom of the collar IT on the shaft I5 the portion 23 of the segment 14 is raised to the'same level as the frame II and its quills 22 are on the same level with the quills l3 of the main part of the transfer ring. At the lower extremity of the centering shaft l5 there is a stationary collar l5 secured to the shaft through a screw 25. At the top of the centering shaft I5 there is located a notch 2| which is engaged by a centering arm 2 that is swung into position above the circular knitting machine 48. When 4 this centering arm it engages the notch 2|, the ring H) is supported and accurately positioned in the center of the dial knitting machine All, by the V able segment machine 43 can be controlled. Also shown is a conventional feeder mechanism 43 and a latch opener 46 whose function is to open the latches 44 on the needles 45.

In Figure 6 I show a further modification of my transfer ring wherein the movable segment or section 33, instead of moving vertically on a shaft, is connected through a hinge to the center 31 of the circular frame 3|. The ring 30 is also equipped on its outer periphery with transfer points or quills 34 and has support bars 32 extending from the frame 3| to the center portion 31 of the ring 30.

Figure '7 illustrates a side elevation of the ring 30 showing a group of transfer points 36 being positioned at a lower level than the remaining transfer points 34. As indicated, this group of lower transfer points 36 is positioned to the left of the hinged portion 33. The number of transfer points 36 is the same as the number of points 34 that are positioned in the hinged section 33 of the transfer ring 30.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a transfer point and a needle illustrating the approximate position of the transfer point when supported by the needle. When the loop 50 is removed from the transfer point it rides on the latch 44 of the needle and ultimately will move forward into the forward area of the needle surrounded by the hook 51.

In operation, the loops of the fabric, which usually consist of material that has been knitted on a machine, having two-needle beds, are transferred to the quills l3 and 22 of the transfer ring I0, the purpose being to transfer this work to a dial knitting machine to continue to knit the body, sleeve or other similar tubular portions. For example, it is contemplated to transfer the wrist portions of a sweater which usually comprise a rib stitch that has been knitted on a machine having two-needle beds, or otherwise to the dial knitting machine for the purpose of completing the arm portion. In order to hold the loops on the transfer points l3 and 22 of the ring l E), a weight is usually attached to the lower portion of the fabric. The next step is to loosen the thumb screw l9 and raise the main portion of the transfer ring for a short distance on the shaft !5 so that the transfer points l3 of the frame ll of the ring II] are approximately V higher than the transfer points 22 of the movl4. The operator should then make sure that the latches 44 of the needles 45 are open before the transferring of the loops 50 is commenced. The transfer ring I0 is then inserted upwardly through the bottom of the dial knitting machine 40 with the transfer points l3 being brought up through the spaces existing between the needles 45. The transfer ring In is then positioned so that the movable segment [4 will be located directly below the feeder mechanism 43 and those needles that are retracted due to the actions of the cams 41. The transfer ring H1 is then rotated slightly in either direction so that the transfer points l3 can be placed on top of the needles 45. The centering shaft I5 is then clamped in place through the centering arm 24 so that the shaft 15 is positioned exactly in the center of the dial knitting machine 4|]. The loops are then transferred from the quills l3 of the frame H to the needles 45. After the loops 50 have been transferred from these points, the thumb screw 19 is loosened and the main portion of the transfer ring is moved upward on the shaft l5 and clamped into position near the top of the shaft l5. The feeder mechanism 43 is then threaded and by operating the machine manually, the dial plate 4| is rotated approximately onefourth of a revolution in a counter-clockwise direction until those needles which are positioned above the transfer points 22 of the movable section [4 are fully extended. When this condition has been reached, the movable segment 14 is then brought up between the needles 45 of the dial knitting machine 40 and then manipulated in such a manner that the quills 22 rest on the needles 45. The loops 50 are then transferred from the movable segment 14 to the remaining needles of the dial knitting machine 40. When all loops have been transferred the transfer ring I 0 may then be removed and the machine is ready for normal operation to complete the knitting on the fabric now transferred to the needles.

The modification of my device as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is operated in a similar manner with few exceptions. As noted, there is no centering shaft in this modification and the transfer ring 30 is inserted upward through the bottom of the dial knitting machine 40 with the transfer points 34 being guided between the needles 45 of the machine 40. The'ring 3B is then adjusted so that the lower quills 36 are positioned below the feeder mechanism 43 and the retracted needles of the dial machine 4!]. This positions the hinged section 33 to a point in advance of the feeder mechanism 43. The loops are then transferred as outlined previously from all of the transfer points 34 to the needles 45 of the dial knitting machine 40 with the exception of these lower points 36. When this partial transfer of loops has been completed, the hinged section 33 is pivoted upward and the feeder mechanism 43 is threaded and moved approximately one-fourth of a revolution in a counter-clockwise direction until the needles 45 that were previously retracted extend out into the center area of the dial machine 40 and the feeder mechanism 43 is now clear of the lower points 36. The transfer ring 30 is then manipulated manually so as to bring the lower points 35 in contact with the needles. The remaining loops are then transferred from the lower points 36 and the operation is completed and the transfer ring may now be removed.

It should be realized that although I have shown a transfer ring with one movable segment, one or more movable segments may be incorporated in the event one or more feeder mechanisms are utilized in connection with dial knitting machine. My device can be made in a variety of sizes so as to conform with the exact number of needles that any particular machine may be enuipped with.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to a present preferred form which it may assume, it is not to be limited to such details and form since many changes and modifications be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence, it is desired to cover any and all forms of modifications of the invention which may come within the language or scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine comprising a circular wheel shaped frame equipped with a plurality of quills on its outer periphery, said frame consisting of at least two members which are movable relative to each other, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby the loops of fabric on said quills can be transferred to the needles of said machine.

2. Means for transferring loops of fabric to a dial knitting machine, including a circular wheel shaped member equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills on its outer periphery, said member consisting of at least two parts which are movable relative to each other, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby said loops may be transferred from said quills to the needles of said machine.

3. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine, said ring including a circular frame equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills on its outer periphery, said frame consisting of at least two members which are movable relative to each other and are slidably mounted on a vertical shaft, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby loops of fabric may be transferred from said quills to the needles of said machine.

4. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine having needles and a feeder mechanism, said ring including a circular frame equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills on its outer periphery, said frame consisting of at least two members which are movable relative to each other and are slidably mounted on a vertical shaft, one of said members adapted to be positioned below said feeder mechanism, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby the loops of fabric are first transferred from the quills of one of said members to some of said needles and then from the quills of the second of said members to the remaining needles of said machine.

5. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine having needles and a feeder mechanism, said ring including a circular frame equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills, said frame consisting of at least two members that are movable relative to each other and are slidably mounted on a vertical shaft, the smaller of said members constituting a segment that is adapted to be positioned below said feeder mechanism, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby the loops of fabric are first transferred from the quills of the larger of said members to some of said needles, and then from the quills of the smaller of said members to the remaining needles of said machine.

6. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine having needles and a feeder mechanism, said ring including a circular frame equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills, said frame consisting of at least two members that are movable relative to each other and are slidably mounted on a vertical shaft, said shaft being positioned and supported in the center of said machine, the smaller of said members constituting a segment that is adapted to be positioned below said feeder mechanism, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby the loops of fabric are first transferred from the quills of the larger of said members to some of said needles, and then from the quills of the smaller of said members to the remaining needles of said machine.

7. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine having needles and a feeder mechanism, said ring including a circular frame equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills, said frame consisting of at least two members that are movable relative to each other, a portion of said quills being positioned on a lower level on the ring than the balance of said quills, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine whereby loops of fabric on said quills can be transferred to the needles of said machine.

8. A transfer ring for a dial knitting machine having needles and a feeder mechanism, said ring including a circular frame equipped with a plurality of equally spaced quills on its outer periphery, said frame consisting of at least two members that are movable relative to each other, the smaller of said members constituting a pivotally mounted segment, a portion of the quills on the larger of said members being affixed to said member at a lower level and adapted to be positioned below said feeder mechanism, said quills being concave and adapted to engage the needles of said machine, whereby the loops of fabric are first transferred from the upper quills to needles of said machine and then from the lower quills to the remaining needles of said machine.

WILLIAM J. KUEHNEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 136,012 Tailbois et al. Feb. 18, 1873 324.797 Aiken Aug. 25, 1885 439,571 Appleton Oct. 28, 1890 516,722 Hemphill Mar. 20, 1894 552,583 Older Jan. 7, 1896 1,139,262 Elliott May 11, 1915 1,441,124 Scott Jan. 2, 1923 2,411,452 Mills Nov. 19, 1946 

